Light Within The Darkness 13

Light Within The Darkness

Part 13

Posted: July 11, 2008
Title: Light Within The Darkness
Author: Zilah

*****

Light within the darkness,
That's what you are.
My beautiful angel, always
Always, you look at me
With love in your eyes.
Love that steals my breath away,
And makes my soul to sing.

*

It took quite a long time before Thranduil and Legolas managed to convince Lindir to rest. When the grief-stricken elf finally lay on the bed between his mate and son, he remembered something.

"How is it possible that you are here? Didn't you go to Imladris?" Lindir asked his son.

"I did, but something... unexpected happened. Master Irmo brought me back... and there will be no wedding," Legolas said hesitantly, considering how much about the events he should tell his parents. Legolas knew that his adas would never judge him, but his love with Elrond was so new and fragile that he wasn't quite ready to reveal it; not just yet. And he began to anticipate that Irmo had another reason for bringing him back other than to keep him safe. Without him, his parents had never known about Celeborn and Linniel. If Lindir and Thranduil had denied giving up on their beloved daughter, both of them would have been doomed.

"And how so? What happened?" Thranduil said, grateful for this distraction. Lindir needed something else to think of than Linniel. Thranduil's heart ached for his daughter, but even more he feared for his beloved mate. He needed to support and protect Lindir at all cost.

"I can only say that... Lady Celebrían wasn't the elleth all thought her to be. I was at a stroll with Elrond, when we found her in a very compromising situation... with another elf. How could she do that to someone she was supposed to marry next day? And the things she threw in Elrond's face... insults and...she addressed Elrond as a... filthy half-elf," Legolas told his parents, feeling sick. He didn't want to remember those horrid events, but it was necessary for his parents to know.

"Oh Legolas! I am so sorry! But don't you think that it is good that her true nature was revealed before the wedding? Otherwise Elrond would be trapped in an unhappy marriage forever," Thranduil said slowly, studying his son closely. Legolas seemed unusually hesitant; it was as if he didn't want to tell everything.

"I am relieved. Elrond deserves only happiness," Legolas whispered, not knowing how he would tell his parents about Elrond's and his changed relationship. He was confused with his feelings; earlier he had had no reservations to confide to his adas. To Legolas' great relief, the distraction came just there and then. A familiar figure appeared from nothingness and Lindir leaped from the bed, crying with relief. The Vala gave the elfling into Lindir's eager arms and said:

"You can be at peace. Aerlinniel managed to do the deed and she is free to be with you once more. Her soul-mate is safe and Elrond will treat him back to health."

"What happened? Was this really necessary?" Lindir asked suspiciously, holding his daughter tightly.

"It was necessary, believe me. Your daughter managed to convince her soul-mate to continue his life. When the time comes, he will come and marry her."

"Linniel is only one year old. It takes 49 years for her to reach her majority," Thranduil said and wrapped protectively his arms around his mate and daughter. He wasn't quite sure if he liked the thought about someone staking claim to his daughter when she was a mere elfling.

"It will not be a hardship to wait 49 years, when they have been separated for many millennia. You don't need to worry, King Thranduil. Lord Celeborn will be a worthy mate for your daughter," Námo said and in a next moment he was gone.

Legolas silently stared at his parents, who were still entwined in a tight embrace, Linniel between them. There was only one thought in his mind: he and Elrond were finally free to love each other openly.

* * * *

"Are you really sure you don't want to come with me to Mirkwood?" Elrond asked one more time, even if he knew the answer. Celeborn shook his head silently, but couldn't hide the longing gaze in his eyes.

"I cannot come with you, Elrond. It will be too much for me to see her when I am unable to have her as my own. My time will come later, but now it is your turn to go and re-claim your mate. You will be happy together," he said.

Elrond smiled fondly at the elf that had almost ended up as his father-in-law. He had grown to like the elder elf very much during the time he had been in Imladris. Realizing what Irmo had meant by his last words, Elrond had put much effort to get Celeborn back to health. Elrond knew full well how much he owed him. Without Celeborn, he could have ended into horrid marriage or to the Halls of Námo.

The former Lórien Lord had been weak after his sudden return and the healing-process had taken almost three months. Now Celeborn was finally well and Elrond was free to go to his meleth.

Elrond's smile turned dreamy, as he remembered Legolas. How he loved him, more than he ever believed possible. Elrond's heart still quivered with emotions when he remembered their first and only night together. How Legolas had given himself fully, holding nothing back.

A distant memory, an echo of Legolas' words, uttered so long ago, still rang in Elrond's mind.

"When I am old enough, I will marry you."

It felt almost like a miracle for Elrond that those childish words were about to become truth. Legolas had been dear to him since his birth, first as a sweet child and then as young elf that had grown up into striking beauty. The last few years their relationship had been strained because of guilt Elrond had felt. But now all that was behind, and Elrond was about to have his heart's desire. His heart started to race when he remembered Lindir's and Thranduil's heartfelt answer to his letter. That letter had wiped last remnants of hesitation and fear that Lindir or Thranduil wouldn't accept him as Legolas' mate. Only few words, but they had told everything:

"You are warmly welcomed to our family."

With these thoughts Elrond bid his farewells to Celeborn and Erestor, who would rule Imladris when he was gone. His heart was full of hope when the escort finally rode out from Imladris. Only one week and few more days and he would see Legolas again.

* * * *

"He is coming. Just few more days... I will see him again."

Legolas was waiting for his mate with mixed feelings. The bird had brought Elrond's message a few days earlier. These three months had been longest in his entire life, but soon his waiting would be over. There was a reason for his anxiousness, but Legolas hadn't told anyone yet. Actually, this was the very first time he had hidden things from his adas. But this was something he wanted to keep with himself. The sweet secret made him happy; how he wanted to share this with his meleth! But if he wanted Elrond to be first to know, he had better come soon. He wouldn't be able to hide his state for long; Legolas thought it was a miracle that he had managed to do so, when his sharp-eyed and over- protective adas were concerned.

Legolas didn't see how two pair of eyes, full of mirth and warmth followed his every gesture.

"I think you are right, meleth nín. Let him keep his secret, even if I feel a little bit melancholy. Our little one is grown up now, and he doesn't want to share his every little secret with his old, poor adas. But the most important thing is that he is happy now, and obviously so in love that it warms my heart to see him thus," Thranduil whispered to his mate.

"Elrond will make an excellent mate for Legolas, but I'm glad he will come soon. We cannot hide Legolas' pregnancy for much longer," Lindir said with a low voice, so that Legolas wouldn't hear him. Thranduil frowned at that.

"I would have rather seen that they had been officially bonded before Elrond makes our son pregnant, but... can I really blame them? And Elrond made up everything when he told everything in his letter and asked Legolas' hand in marriage."

Lindir chuckled:" Have you forgotten how things were between us, and still are? We have been together over 50 years without official bonding-ceremony."

Thranduil looked at his mate, stunned.

"Are you unhappy about the fact that we have had no bonding-ceremony? Why you didn't say something?" Thranduil felt a pang of quilt when he thought how difficult their first year together had been for Lindir. Their sudden bonding, then leaving his home behind, only to find that Mirkwood wasn't quite ready to accept their love... Thranduil had done everything he could so that Lindir would feel loved and welcomed, but he had completely forgotten that Lindir might have wanted a bonding-ceremony too. Thranduil himself didn't care if they had said their wows in public; he had belonged to Lindir from the very first moment he had laid his eyes on him.

"Oh, meleth! I am not unhappy with you! I don't need any pompous ceremonies to know that I am yours and you are mine. When we met for the first time... I couldn't have kept my hands off of you even if I tried. I loved you from the very first moment I saw you and that has never changed," Lindir said, leaning closer to his mate. Thranduil pulled him in his arms and he sighed with pleasure. There was no place in all Arda were he would rather be than Thranduil's arms.

"I would do anything for you; anything! If you want a ceremony, I would give it to you," Thranduil whispered gently.

"I don't need it. I have everything I have ever hoped for. You are my whole world, Thranduil," Lindir smiled, and pulled his mate into a passionate kiss. When the lack of air finally forced them apart, Lindir looked into green eyes that seemed to shine only for him.

//Make love to me, meleth nín.//

Lindir gasped when he saw his mate's eyes starting to flame with a hot flare of desire and in the next moment strong arms picked him up in a possessive embrace. He trembled when Thranduil's answer echoed in his head.

// The rest of my life, Lindir nín.//

The royal pair didn't notice as Legolas' eyes followed their leaving. The young prince smiled, as he watched his ada Thranduil carrying his mate to sorely needed privacy. It was no doubt in Legolas' mind where they were heading; their faces revealed everything. The love that shone on their faces was heart-warming. When they were gone, Legolas turned his eyes back to west. His hand landed instinctively on his belly, rubbing it gently.

"They are so happy and beautiful together. I know I would have the same happiness with you, Elrond nín. Just come to me, saes!"

Only few more days, and his waiting would be over.

* * * *

Legolas stared at his reflection in the mirror, his heart racing with excitement. It had been early morning when ada Thranduil had led the patrol to the border and they should be back anytime soon. Legolas had been relieved when he was not asked to join; it would have been very difficult to decline without revealing his secret. He didn't want anything to happen to the child that grew inside him.

"Today is the day. He is coming, and I will see him," he thought, trying to arrange his hair. To his dismay, his hands shook so badly that he couldn’t manage to do the proper braids. After several failed attempts he finally gave up and brushed his hair, letting it to stay loose. Legolas felt his whole being burning with sweet anticipation when he was finally ready and left for the courtyard.

* * * *

The escort neared, but to Legolas its pace seemed painfully slow. He could see his ada Thranduil riding in front of the escort and beside him rode a raven-haired elf. Legolas managed to keep his calm expression, but his insides were in complete turmoil. It took all his will power to stay where he was and wait for them to come.

Thranduil secretly studied his son and Elrond, amused at what he saw. Usually so calm, Imladris' Lord was nervous and Legolas didn't fare any better. But there was a happy smile on both of their faces, revealing their feelings for all to see. Thranduil grinned inwardly when he remembered the incident earlier that day. He had teased Elrond a little and the half-elf had blushed almost crimson. The King was happy for his son, but also melancholy; soon Legolas would leave them and move to Imladris. He knew he would miss Legolas terribly.

The escort finally arrived at the courtyard and all dismounted. The King and Elrond stepped together to meet Lindir and Legolas. Stormy grey and deep blue eyes locked together.

"Legolas, I promised I would come to you. Am I welcome?" Elrond said with a shaky voice, after he had greeted his former foster-son.

"More than welcome, meleth nín," Legolas breathed, and kissed his meleth in front of all Mirkwood’s and Imladris' elves. He felt Elrond tense for a moment, but then the half-elf pulled him closer and returned his kiss with equal fervor. When they finally separated, Legolas glanced at his parents, his cheeks flaming. It was against all etiquette that he greeted the guest like this, even if he was Elrond. He was relieved after seeing that both of his adas only smiled to them.

"So? What now?" Legolas finally asked, after seeing that nobody had moved. He turned his gaze back to Elrond and to his surprise, he saw the proud Imladris' Lord kneeling before him. Grey eyes stared at him lovingly, as Elrond spoke:

"Now, meleth nín... I do something I should have done the very day you reached your majority. Would you let me love you like you deserve, would you be mine the all eternity? Would you bind with me, tonight?"

*****

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